Great post.
CHeers!
Maria

Too many people are afraid of discipline. What do they fear? I prefer to fear boredom, mediocrity and complacency.

“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” Henry David Thoreau

Best thoughts!
Jim

“Nearly everything you do provides an opportunity to develop and practice the habit of discipline. Practice discipline in work and at play. Participate in activities that challenge you to apply discipline. I’m a little biased, but martial arts provide a perfect opportunity to practice discipline at any age! If that’s not your bag, take a class, find a hobby, develop your job skills, develop your relationships at home and in your community, volunteer, do anything that will challenge your mind, body and spirit and provide the opportunity for you to practice. That’s how you develop the habit of discipline. Find something that needs doing and just do it!”

I like how you explained that. Very helpful. Thanks.

Well written, enjoying your blog and Ill check back to see any of your updates. You know I tend to disagree with a lot of debate about all of this as well.

What you said made sense.

Thanks

Martial

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In my book, I’ve reduced what I found to be the essential components of developing personal power. When I talk about personal power, this means the capacity and ability to do the work necessary to achieve our goals and create our personal and professional success.

The development phase is embodied in what I call “The Kung Fu Triangle.” Translated from Chinese, “Kung Fu” literally means achievement through great effort and speaks to the results of that effort: mastery. To translate this idea fully in Western terms, my Kung Fu Triangle is constructed of the components of “motivation” and “discipline” over “time.”

The most recent studies into achievement reveal what the ancient masters knew. Success is more a product of consistently applied effort than it is of innate gifts or intelligence. Furthermore, with work intelligence can be improved and there are several types of intelligence. Everyone is not born with equal gifts, but most are born with the capacity for self-improvement.

Tim, I agree. Core values must be identified not only to provide strong internal motivation, but also to make sure that as one develops personal power, it is applied toward one’s benefit and the benefit of others. Motivation, however, no matter how grounded in personal values can wane at times. It’s very important to develop a habit of sustaining that motivation and of doing the work necessary even when motivation is in an ebb phase of life’s cycles.

Motivation and discipline must be maintained over “time.” Craig, you’re also right in that many people want instant gratification. I don’t necessarily think that it’s bad to have certain needs and desires fulfilled quickly, but ultimately learning to sustain our efforts over time through life’s cycles is the key to sustaining true success and personal satisfaction. The most successful people find their greatest satisfaction in never-ending change through self-improvement; I don’t think that’s an irony!

Thank you both! You’ve instigated a lot of thought for me this morning and that’s a wonderful gift. I appreciate your thoughts and your comments!

Best thoughts,
Jim

Uncovering that motivation by understanding our own values is key. Once you have done that of course you need the discipline to put it all into place, but it makes it so much easier when you know deep down at a basic level why you are doing something.

“Err… what’s option B?”